Southwark Cathedral will seal its cooperation with Bergen Cathedral, Norway on Sunday 15 October when the Dean of Bergen, the Very Rev Halfdan Bondevik and the Dean of Southwark, the Very Rev Colin Slee, will lead members of their congregations in signing a twinning agreement in front of the altar during the 11.00 Eucharist. The Bergen Cathedral Choir will sing during the service with the Southwark Choir, who toured Norway during July this year.

The Norwegian Ambassador and the Mayor and Mayoress of Southwark will be present. Also in attendance will be the whole congregation of St Olav's Norwegian Church in Rotherhithe, and other representatives of the Norwegian community in Britain.

The Dean of Southwark says "We have been planning this twinning for a long time, and building up to it with visits in both directions. The Sub-Dean of Bergen came here in the early part of the year and our choir went to Bergen during their summer tour of Norway.

"We are especially pleased that we can live out the link with Bergen through our close association with the Norwegian Church just along the river in Rotherhithe. We hosted part of their festival here in June and welcome them back this Sunday."

Southwark Cathedral has developed a link of friendship with the Cathedral of Bergen since Anglicans and Lutherans were encouraged to work together by the Porvoo Agreement between the churches in 1996. The Rector of St Olav's Norwegian Church and Seamen's Mission, the Rev Helge Pettersson, was admitted as a Cathedral Chaplain of Southwark earlier this year.

Bergen Churches website

Ends.

Enquiries to: Rose Harding, Events Co-ordinator, 020 7367 6722.

Further notes in case of need:

Norwegian Ambassador: H.E. Tarald Brautaset.
Mayor of Southwark: Councillor Harry Canagasabey.